Why are there no big bicycle rallies?

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The motorbike rallies are weird. A vanishing few ride their bikes there, and they seem to be more about bike ownership than bike riding - here's an image from a random motel outside Des Moines during RAGBRAI. The trailered BMWs were on their way to the BMW rally, I was on my way to the East coast. My bike was covered in bugs (not really visible), theirs were spotless. People kept asking me if I was going to the rally - I didn't really see the point (though most of those I talked to between Montana and Iowa were riding their bikes, I didn't really have much chance to chat with the trailer crowd). I just don't see the point, and would much rather participate in a bicycle event. They're more challenging to my mind, and more exciting without violating speed limits, etc.

I might be unfairly biased against any event that means camping with 5000 strangers, though.

But (and I don't mean to nitpick) most of these seem to be organized rides. And that's fine.

When I think rally I think about an event where people gather at one place and there are things to do related to the sport/hobby/interest. For example, I know that at Americade there are plenty of clothing and accessory vendors there, and the big motorcycle manufacturers are there giving demo rides for their new models.

Are there vendors, and events and things for folks to do as well as just ride the route at these bicycle events ?

But (and I don't mean to nitpick) most of these seem to be organized rides. And that's fine.

When I think rally I think about an event where people gather at one place and there are things to do related to the sport/hobby/interest. For example, I know that at Americade there are plenty of clothing and accessory vendors there, and the big motorcycle manufacturers are there giving demo rides for their new models.

Are there vendors, and events and things for folks to do as well as just ride the route at these bicycle events ?

Orthodontists & paralegals want to keep their bikes pretty and low-mileage, so they can look fancy on Main Street.
I went back in 92,93,94 when I had a Harley, and it was already becoming a bunch of old farts wanting to look like renegade-outlaws for a week. Probably gotten even worse since the advent of that ridiculous whitetrash soap opera starring Peg Bundy and the Monkey Sidekick from Quest for Fire.

Around the years you went I had a tenant that had inherited a boatload of money. Somehow he hurt himself and couldn't ride up so he bought a Rolls Royce and installed a trailer hitch. He bought some T-shirts with the tuxedo screenprinting on the front and towed his bike to Sturgis. He was a funny guy but then he shot a cop and went to prison.

I guess I'm a fossil that had ridden the original TOSRV TOSRV - Home - Tour Of the Scioto River Valley - a half dozen times back in the mid-seventies/early eighties. 3500 official riders and up to over almost 7000 riders at it's peak. Attracted riders from all over the country - and world! Columbus OH to Portsmouth (105 miles) on Saturday, then another 105 miles back to Columbus on Sunday. AND I still have - and ride - the same bike today that I did back then!

The motorbike rallies are weird. A vanishing few ride their bikes there, and they seem to be more about bike ownership than bike riding - here's an image from a random motel outside Des Moines during RAGBRAI. The trailered BMWs were on their way to the BMW rally, I was on my way to the East coast. My bike was covered in bugs (not really visible), theirs were spotless. People kept asking me if I was going to the rally - I didn't really see the point (though most of those I talked to between Montana and Iowa were riding their bikes, I didn't really have much chance to chat with the trailer crowd). I just don't see the point, and would much rather participate in a bicycle event. They're more challenging to my mind, and more exciting without violating speed limits, etc.

I might be unfairly biased against any event that means camping with 5000 strangers, though.

I never got the point of those rallies either. Then again, most motorcycle owners seem more interested in having a drink while their motorcycle is parked nearby than riding the darn thing. I used to love riding and racing, but motorcycle culture? No thanks.

Have to appreciate his taking biker-outlaw poserhood seriously. I get sick of these guys who dress up and play scumbag on weekends, but aren't even on their second-strike, felony-wise, some of them even have all their teeth.

Are there vendors, and events and things for folks to do as well as just ride the route at these bicycle events ?

well yeah to be fair, some rides do this better than others, but you can almost certainly count on vendors/music/beer gardens etc.

Two highlights to share:
Many moons ago, at a Lancaster PA Covered Bridges ride (wow, any of those BFers still around?) I popped the seatpost collar the night before the ride while putting the bike together after the drive up. I was saved in the morning: A local bike shop was set up next to the registration tent and I ($20) talked them into yanking the collar off a demo bike they had on display. Got to enjoy the ride with what, 15? other BikeForums folks. Twas good Rally (including beers before and after the ride).

A few years ago I organized a team for the local MS150. The Colorado/Wyoming chapter does a fantastic job with the ride. In addition to training with folks and then riding with them, the New Belgium beer garden was quite the treat. Someone --ahem-- was gleefully overserved by the New Belgium folks who continued to look the other way. That was good Rally, too.

Interbike, Philly Bike Expo, Frostbike, EuroBike, NAHBS... Not quite the same but a good setting. You do also have things like Critical Mass or other mass rides, plus a ton of races both professional and more amateur ones.

Critical Mass... they've done more harm to biking around here then any events. Talk about making people hate us bikers.

But (and I don't mean to nitpick) most of these seem to be organized rides. And that's fine.

When I think rally I think about an event where people gather at one place and there are things to do related to the sport/hobby/interest. For example, I know that at Americade there are plenty of clothing and accessory vendors there, and the big motorcycle manufacturers are there giving demo rides for their new models.

Are there vendors, and events and things for folks to do as well as just ride the route at these bicycle events ?

On the Fifty-Plus Forum, we hold an Annual (weekend) Ride in conjunction with an organized event. This year it was in Pennsylvania. While not a megaevent like the Hotter'n Hell in Texas, it was pleasantly large enough with enthusiastic participants to attract vendors, and IMO met the criteria for a Rally.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

The Adventure Fest

This was the first one presented by Bicycle Times and they did a great job. It was like a festive religious retreat for zealous cyclists. The Resort was a very convenient focus, set on a scenic lake with a MUP lined with knowledgeable vendors, who freely chatted and gave advice. I even bought myself a seat bag with features I have been seeking for months.

On Friday and Saturday nights free beer and entertainment was provided, and everyone was of good cheer....

Critical Mass... they've done more harm to biking around here then any events. Talk about making people hate us bikers.

I loved them around where I live and was an organizer for a bit. They brought a lot of people out and helped spark my passion for cycling. If people are going to hate cyclists they are going to hate cyclists and saying a large ride is going to make them further angry is silly. Some people just hate cyclists because they think of bikes a toys or think it is stupid to ride a bike when you can get in a car and get there faster or some people just hate large groups of people who don't follow their same view point.

You guys beat me to it. Like the motorcycle rallies, they have regular meeting places for the end of the day with food and entertainment, but unlike the motorcycle rallies I've been to and read about, it's mobile!

Somebody at work gave me a huge "Welcome CYCLE OREGON" banner today, like a long, thin tarp. I'm trying to figure out a use for it. Any of you people want it?

To answer the question more generally, as you can see above, there are loads of big bike festivals with tens of thousands of participants, vendors, beer gardens, music, etc. I believe you hear less about them precisely because there are so many, compared to just a couple very big rallies for motorcyclists.

I loved them around where I live and was an organizer for a bit. They brought a lot of people out and helped spark my passion for cycling. If people are going to hate cyclists they are going to hate cyclists and saying a large ride is going to make them further angry is silly. Some people just hate cyclists because they think of bikes a toys or think it is stupid to ride a bike when you can get in a car and get there faster or some people just hate large groups of people who don't follow their same view point.

LOL, well around here they act like terrorist and get arrested. Lets see, drunk, failure to follow rules of the road, swarming cars at red lights and not letting them move, throwing things at cars, blocking intersections even when told by police not too, resisting arrest, etc, etc, etc... This was just one "event" of theirs here in town. Two of them made the news. So yeah, around here they are the worse thing, not silly just the facts.

LOL, well around here they act like terrorist and get arrested. Lets see, drunk, failure to follow rules of the road, swarming cars at red lights and not letting them move, throwing things at cars, blocking intersections even when told by police not too, resisting arrest, etc, etc, etc... This was just one "event" of theirs here in town. Two of them made the news. So yeah, around here they are the worse thing, not silly just the facts.

Not to mention ... blocking commercial traffic (like the ones where I lived did) so that deliveries couldn't be made, and hard working people who just wanted to make a living lost money ...

LOL, well around here they act like terrorist and get arrested. Lets see, drunk, failure to follow rules of the road, swarming cars at red lights and not letting them move, throwing things at cars, blocking intersections even when told by police not too, resisting arrest, etc, etc, etc... This was just one "event" of theirs here in town. Two of them made the news. So yeah, around here they are the worse thing, not silly just the facts.

Act like terrorists? Now I know your are making stuff up. Terrorism is a big charge not just a buzzword to be fannied about. I don't know about you but being run off the road by cars or threatened with actual violence (which has happened to me while riding alone not bothering anyone following all the traffic rules...) is certainly more terroristic than riding as a group and blocking intersections which is typically what CM has done (and having ridden over a 100 rides with them a few in different cities and having known many organizers and participants).

Maybe your group was different or maybe the media sensationalized them and you took it as truth, which happens a lot. When a protest organization even if not intentionally that does something the media will always make stuff up about it because it can make the organization look bad and make it easier to shut them down.

I met a lot of great people doing Critical Mass and it sparked a passion for cycling that obviously didn't burn out and only got stronger. The only reason I left is because some of the fixed kids were just about racing and less about staying together as a group so our normal fun party atmosphere got a little lost